ate
y

tN
Peart
St
Whe

i

eas

bat
Hs

=

zs

Docorscaielth
nee

a

=F,

j
Mania
ae ee
BEM irtonay
Ge
i Wie
MMs

m8
Winns

Mite
pecs
oe:

me

ieee iy f
as
a

Popa Sth de
iii th

rs

eet a

pall fetret * RE
le OO)

4
MS meee

An Album of the Groups
in the
Vernay-Faunthorpe Hall of South Asiatic Mammals
of the

American Museum of Natural History

HK Gn

VARRDHE IASUTARS |

i ‘ a bi
Raeee
; ; ‘
vd ‘i : ei
ae eds sh CopyricHt 1930
4 ft fi 4

Pee A PL ge : bs Sth , as
: et el By y AMERICAN MuseuM oF Naturat History _
"7 fie i r = 4 )
}

} Vy iy 3 0 -W9lGF -Jec.
nate eh ee

36

FOREWORD

HEN the late Colonel J. C. Faunthorpe, former Commissioner of Lucknow

and for more than twenty years with the Indian Civil Service, visited the

American Museum of Natural History in 1918, he was deeply impressed
with the method of taxidermy employed and the artistic manner in which animals
were mounted in groups against specially prepared backgrounds. He noted, however,
that the fauna of India was represented by but a few specimens and those not the
most important. The American Museum therefore appeared to him to be one of the
great institutions of the world in which to carry out his idea of securing a representative
series of specimens of the fast vanishing mammals of Asia.

Very shortly afterwards Mr. Arthur S. Vernay, who was a friend of Colonel
Faunthorpe, offered to cooperate in this undertaking and as a result plans were at once
formulated for the necessary field work.

In a series of conferences with President Henry Fairfield Osborn, Colonel Faun-
thorpe carefully explained his plan which met with a hearty response, for President
Osborn has been greatly concerned with the deplorable rapidity with which the wild
animal life of the world, especially among the larger species, is being depleted. He
assured Colonel Faunthorpe of his desire to join with him to the fullest in supplying
this need of the Museum. The groups which are now displayed are the fruit of this
generous enterprise.

In 1921 steps were taken to prepare for the first expedition to obtain these
mammals, and since that time a number of expeditions have been made to secure group

material not previously represented. In 1927-1928, members of the Museum staff
accompanied Mr. Vernay to India to secure data for backgrounds and to make studies
of the actual localities for the habitat groups. In all of this work Mr. Vernay has
assumed the cost and has devoted himself enthusiastically to the field work and to the
preparation of the splendid exhibits in this Hall.

The specimens which are displayed form only a part of the collections obtained
by Mr. Vernay and Colonel Faunthorpe during seven years of field work. There are
others used to augment Museum study collections which aid materially in educational
work.

One of the first and most important groups secured was that of the Indian
elephant. Then followed in rapid succession the one-horned rhino, the gaur, chital,
sambar and swamp deer. Later expeditions brought back fine examples of the
barking deer, hog deer, musk deer, and also such important carnivores as the
tiger, lion, leopard, hyena, sloth bear, wild dog and others reproduced in this series of

illustrations.

Mr. Vernay and Colonel Faunthorpe were able to make such an unrivalled series
of collections because of Colonel Faunthorpe’s long and intimate knowledge of game
conditions in India and, too, because of the hearty support of the government officials
and native princes, who spared nothing to assist the collectors in gathering a truly
representative series of the larger mammals of southern Asia so that in the years to
follow the world might still view, as in their native habitats, a species which will have

passed from the earth. Gro Ne RTRIAR:

The groups and architectural setting in the South Asiatic Hall, as
here reproduced, were designed and executed under the direction of
James L. Clark, Assistant Director in Charge of Preparation: the acces-
sories under the direction of Albert E. Butler: the scientific direction
under Harold E. Anthony, Curator of Mammals.

MAP OF INDIA, BURMA AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY
SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE GROUPS

INDIAN ELEPHANT

(Elephas maximus)

The Indian Elephant ranges, in the wild state, from Ceylon, through
parts of the Indian peninsula to the Himalayas, and down through Burma,
Siam and the Malay countries into Sumatra and Borneo. These par-
ticular specimens were taken in the hills of Mysore.

The Indian Elephant differs from the African in its smaller size,
smaller ears, higher forehead and more tractable disposition. It is the
species which is commonly domesticated in southern Asia.

COLLECTED THROUGH THE couRTESY OF His HIGHNESS, THE MAHARAJAH OF
Mysorr, G.C.S.1., Newas or JUNGADH

MounTep sy Louis Jonas

TIGER
(Felis Tigris)

The Tiger is the largest of living cats and because of its size confines
itself to hunting large game such as deer, pig and antelope, and some-
times kills large cattle, ordinarily first disabling the animal by ham-
stringing it. It rarely ascends trees and is probably incapable of climbing
vertically.

Permission to collect these specimens was made possible by The Most Honourable
the Marquess of Reading, P.C., G.C.B., G-CS1, (G:C VE:,, G.C.V.O., D.C.L.,

LLD., Viceroy of India (1921-1926), Special Envoy and H.B.M. Ambassador to
Washington (1917-1919).

ANIMALS BY JOHN W. Hore
BackGRounp By C. C. ROSENKRANZ

BLACK BUCK anno CHINKARA
(Antelope cervicapra and Gazella bennetti)

The Black Buck (left) is the most abundant of Indian antelopes.
Only the males are equipped with horns. Color differences between the
sexes of animals do not occur frequently and are present among the
groups in this collection only in the Black Buck, the Nilgai and the
Gibbon.

The Chinkara, or Indian Gazelle, represented in the group by the
two animals at the right, a male and a female, is less gregarious than
the Black Buck and usually runs in groups of from two to six. Unlike
other Asiatic Gazelles, the female has horns. Both the Black Buck and
the Chinkara are found in most parts of India, but are unknown in
the country east of the Bay of Bengal.

For permission to collect the Chinkara, the Museum is indebted to Major-General

His High the Maharaj ikani
sp ighness the Maharajah of Bikanir, G.C.S.L., GIG LE. G.ClV.O., G.B.E.. V3) DK Gan

ANIMALS BY WaLTER EsCHERICH AND JoHN W. Hore
BACKGROUND BY WILLIAM R. LEIGH

SLOTH BEAR

(Melursus ursinus)

The Sloth Bear is perhaps the most dangerous animal living in the
Indian forests. The group is represented as prowling about a termite’s
nest near the Nepal border.

ANIMALS BY WALTER EsCHERICH

LEOPARD
(Felis pardus)

The Leopard being smaller than the Tiger, is far more lithe and
active. Unlike the Jatter, it is, too, a good climber. The Leopard is
bolder and more courageous than its larger, striped cousin. If wounded
it will charge time and time again with great savagery.

The Leopard occurs over most of Asia except Siberia and high
Tibet. The Asiatic Leopard differs from the African Leopard only in
minor characteristics. In the jungle it lives on pea fowl, monkeys and
many other kinds of small animals. -

ANIMALS BY JoHN W. Hope
BackGRouND By F. L. JAQUES

NILGAI, or BLUE BULL

(Boselaphus tragocamelus)

This is the largest of Asiatic Antelopes. It is remarkable among
mammals for the dissimilarity of coloration between the sexes. It 1s
widespread over the Indian Peninsula.

ANIMALS BY JAMES L. CLARK

SAMBAR anp SWAMP DEER, or BARASINGHA

(Cervus unicolor and Cervus duvauceli)

The Sambar is the largest of Indian Deer. It is more widely and
generally distributed than any other species of deer of the region.

The Swamp Deer is confined to the Indian Mainland up to the base
of the Himalayas. It is restricted to the vicinity of water, where because
cf the poor footing it is usually hunted from elephant back. The group

represents a scene in a marshy tract in the Tarai, along the foothills
of the Himalayas.

The Sambar were collected through the courtesy of the late Newab Sultan Jahan,
Begum of Bhopal, G.C.S.I.. G.C.LE., C.1, G.B.E. Fer the Swamp Deer the Museum
is indebted to the Maharani Surat Kunwar, O.B.E., of Karigarh, Oudh.

SAMBAR BY James L. CLarx; Swamp DEER BY J. W. Hore
BackGRrounp By C. C. RosENKRANZ

bit ‘ ‘
OM ue y.\ ee ee My. RMA ay, 4
7 | er YF 4m ) EE

MUNTJAC anv SPOTTED CHEVROTAIN

(Muntiacus muntjac and Tragulus meminna)

The Muntjac, or Barking Deer, is notable for the long, slender
bony pedicles which support its small antlers. The pedicles continue
down over its face as converging ridges which give the animal the name
of Rib-faced Deer. The male possesses large tusks which project beyond
the margin of the upper lip. These tusks are used in defense. There
is a large scent gland in the skin of the forehead, as well as the more
usual pair beneath the eyes.

The Chevrotain, or “Mouse Deer”, as it is often misnamed, is not
a deer, though it has some of the same characteristics as the Cervidae.
Tt chews the cud and has a divided stomach. However, the Chevrotain
has no antlers and the bones of its feet are different from those of deer.

ANIMALS BY JOHN W. Hore

GAUR

(Bos gaurus)

The Gaur frequents the hilly country and occurs up to 6,000 feet,
but is not found in the lowlands inhabited by the Water Buffalo.
Though the tallest ox in the world, the Gaur is shy and inoffensive, not
ferocious. However, having poor sight and hearing, it may charge
suddenly, and solitary bulls are likely to be dangerous if unexpectedly
disturbed. The range of the Gaur extends over the hilly sections of the
Indian Peninsula, Burma and the Malay Peninsula.

ANIMALS BY Louis Jonas
Backcrounp By C. C. RosENKRANZ

FOUR-HORNED ANTELOPE ano INDIAN SMOOTH OTTER

(Tetraceros duadricornis and Lutra macrodus)

The Four-Horned Antelope is the only living four-horned wild
mammal, though fossil mammals with four horns are known, and a
variety of domestic sheep has developed this double number. It is found
in pairs or small groups in hilly, lightly wooded country near water.
It is unknown in Ceylon and east of the Bay of Bengal.

The Otters, of which several species are known in India, are
essentially weasels which have taken to water and grown larger. Their
toes are webbed and they are good swimmers and divers. In some parts
of Asia, Otters are kept tame and used for catching fish or to drive
them into nets.

ANTELOPE By JoHN W. Hope
OTTER By RAYMOND PoTTER

TSINE, or BANTING

(Bos sondaicus birmanicus)

This is the characteristic wild ox of the Malay region. It is found
through Burma down over the Malay Peninsula. It is replaced by other
races on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. The species
has little trace of the shoulder hump seen in other Asiatic oxen and
carries no dewlap. It is said to be mute except for a snort of warning.
The Banting is probably one of the progenitors of domestic cattle
though no modern breed may be pointed to as a direct descendant.

To the left of this group is a pair of Jungle Fowl, a species certainly
the ancestral form of some, if not of all, of our domestic fowls.

Group collected through the courtesy of Sir Harcourt Butler, G.C.S.1.. G
D.C.L., 0's, bs Large +, G.G.LE.,

ANIMALS BY JoHN W. Hope
BACKGROUND By A. A. JANSSON

py < Ln f s wy?
fea ARNG
OWN)

~

ee

HOG: DEER, or PARA anp INDIAN WILD BOAR
(Cervus porcinus and Sus cristatum)

The Hog Deer is a small relative of the Sambar. It inhabits the
river flats and prefers tracts where the grass is of moderate height. It is
found chiefly on the plains of the Indus, in the Ganges Valley and in
Burma.

The Indian Wild Boar is much like the European Wild Boar, but
differs in color and size. The true wild boars are typical of the Eurasian

mainland and outlying islands. This particular species is typical of the
Indo-Malayan region.

ANIMALS BY WaLTER EscHERICH

SAMBAR ATTACKED BY WILD DOGS

Cervus unicolor and Cyon dukhunensis)

The Sambar is a large deer with three-pronged antlers as is typical
of the rusine group of deer. The Indian Sambar and its close relatives
occur over a large section of wooded Southern Asia, and-is an important
food resource to many carnivorous mammals such as the tiger and the
wild dog.

The Wild Dog, because of its great numbers and the relentlessness

with which the packs—sometimes numbering forty or more—hunt
down the game of the forest, is considered the scourge of the land.

The stag was collected through the courtesy of the late Newab Sultan Jahan,
Begum of Bhopal, G.C.S.I.. G.C.LE., C.L., G.B.E. i

ANIMALS BY R. H. Rock weELy
BACKGROUND By C. C. ROsENKRANZ

LION
(Felis leo)

The Lion of India is generally conceded to be identical with that
of North Africa. It was formerly widespread in southern Asia. In
India, it is now confined to the Gir Forest, an area of about 400 square
miles, where the species is rigidly protected.

Collected by the courtesy of His Highness, Sir Mahabat Khan, K.C.S.I., Newab

of Junagadh.
MountTep By James L. CLARK

\}
“|

ee Tet aay

1

WATER BUFFALO
(Bos bubalis)

The Water Buffalo is the animal of grassy plains where water is
abundant and where they make the mud wallows to which they are
partial. The Buffalo usually live in large herds which split into smaller
ones during the breeding season. It is this form of Buffalo that is widely
domesticated. They are used as draught and milch cattle. Within the
range of the wild form, which includes the Indian Peninsula and Burma,
the tame herds interbreed with the wild individuals.

ANIMALS BY WALTER EsCHERICH
BACKGROUND BY WILLIAM R. LEIGH

SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS

(Rinoceros sumatrensis)

This species, the smallest of living rhinoceroses, though bearing two
horns, is more nearly allied to the single-horned Indian rhinoceros than
to the African two-horned forms. Though sometimes called the hairy
rhinoceros, the hair on the adult is thin and scattered, the ears and tail
being the only truly hairy parts. The young of the species is possessed
of a luxurious coat.

The territory of this rhinoceros formerly extended from Assam,
through Burma and Siam and the Malay Peninsula, into the islands of
Sumatra and Borneo.

For permission to take these specimens, the Museum is indebted to Sir H
Buthee) GGiSihs Geile.’ D.C.L., LCS. HAN Ahaiesit

ANIMALS BY R. H. Rock weELL

THAMIN, or ELD’S DEER
(Cervus eldi)

The Thamin is remarkable chiefly for the graceful curve of its
antlers. The usual sound made by the Eld’s Deer is a barking grunt;
that of the stag is longer and louder than that of the hind. The flat
alluvial tracts east of the Bay of Bengal and in the Malay Peninsula
constitute its chief range.

For permission to collect these animals, the Museum is indebted to Sir Harcourt

Butler, G.C.S.L, G.C.I-E., D.C.L., L.C.S. Governor of United Provinces (1918-192 2)
and Burma (1922-1927).

ANIMALs BY JOHN W. Hore
BackGrounp By F. L. Jaquss

CHITAL or AXIS DEER
(Cervus axis)
The Chital is generally considered the most beautiful of all the deer.
[ts coat is permanently spotted, a condition occurring only in the young
of most of the deer family. The species occurs over much of the pen-
insula of India from the foothills of the Himalayas into the Island
of Ceylon.

: Senn through the courtesy of Maharani Surat Kunwar, O.B.E., of Karigarh,
QOudh.

ANIMALS BY CLARENCE ALBRECHT

BackGrounp By C. C. RosENKRANZ

INDIAN RHINOCEROS

(Rhinoceros unicornis)

The great one-horned Indian Rhinoceros is characterized by its
thickened skin which has the appearance of riveted armor plate, and
which was so shown in the famous wood engraving by Albrecht Direr.
Although once widespread in the peninsula of India this two-ton her-
bivore is now practically confined to the grassy jungles and muddy low-
lands of the alluvial plains of Assam.

The specimens in the group were collected near the border of
Nepal.

For permission to take these specimens the Museum is greatly indebted to Th
Late General His Highness Sir Chandra Shumshere Jung Bahadur R Cc :
G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.C.L. i ene

ANIMALs BY R. H. RockweELL
BACKGROUND By A. A. JANSSON

HOOLOCK GIBBON
(Hylobates hoolock)

The Gibbon is the smallest, as well as the most arboreal, of the
anthropoid or man-like apes. Though capable of walking upright, it
is by habit thoroughly arboreal and travels chiefly by swinging with its
long arms from branch to branch or tree to tree. The Gibbon has been
known to swing a distance of forty feet and catch the branch with
safety. When swinging along, the food is sometimes carried by the feet.

The Hoolock Gibbon inhabits Upper Burma, Assam and Southern
Yunan. Other species occur elsewhere in the Malayan region.

ANIMALS BY RoBertT ROCKWELL BackGROUND By A. A JAN
ake SSON

elt ae

ee
as,
a ow
fo. see

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS OF HALL AND GROUP CASES

The ornamentation in the Hall is unobtrusive, but the designs have

been very carefully selected and executed. They are faithful representa-
tions of the older Indian architecture.

itty

ie 5 nf artes
ie

iene of di pee aia iseetiis ( an ornamental bench of ~
; arabes babes. sande of the window screen.

4 ‘
; ia ae?

“viet
De at.
ae ’
vi

4%

i) lig A

'
‘

i ‘;
¥ ug
boy
hat

{r

ws

a tiger

of an old sporting print of

Paes

m gaat a gone >
= *
on A
SS <

ee

eS ee eee

A oe Die ngs

4

WN A

i 4}

y t
Ai